For much of training camp and the preseason, Justin Fields had done little on the field to prove the New York Jets were right in making him the unquestioned face of the franchise in 2025.
Joining his third team in as many years, Fields was seemingly being given one last chance to prove he could be a starting quarterback in the NFL this season.
If Week 1 was an indicator of what the Jets’ offense will look like all year, not only will Fields have finally proved he could be a starting-caliber signal-caller, but he might just turn the Jets around.
Despite New York’s 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday to open the 2025 campaign, Fields shined in his first start. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown, while committing no turnovers and taking just one sack. Fields added two touchdown runs and 48 yards on the ground in the contest.
Simply put, Fields was unstoppable for much of the game, and he has key members of the Jets believing in him for the long term.
Justin Fields shines in Jets debut
Going into Sunday’s contest, Fields was considered a major question mark for New York. Going up against an elite defense like the Steelers was expected to cause some problems for the former first-round pick.
Not only did Fields meet the challenge, but he also proved he could lead the Jets both on and off the field. Having a Steelers defense with All-Pros at almost every level on the ropes is no small feat.
And his head coach couldn’t be more thrilled.
“I though he was outstanding,” Aaron Glenn told Jets X-Factor. “I want to go back and look at the tape and really dissect everything. But just to the naked eye, I thought he did a really good job.”
Justin Fields rushes for his first NY Jets touchdown (Video)Arguably the most impressive part of Fields game was his ability to bounce back throughout the game when Pittsburgh took the lead. In the first half, he led New York on multiple scoring drives following strikes from Aaron Rodgers down the field.
In the fourth quarter, after watching his special teams and defensive units give up 14 points in under a minute without hitting the field, Fields calmly led the Jets on a 12-play, 67-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead.
It was that kind of leadership and mastery of the offense that wide receiver Garrett Wilson was thrilled to see.
“That boy’s a dog. That’s the man I know,” Wilson said. “He doesn’t give up on any play, he doesn’t give up on anything, and I know stuff like that is inspiring to the dudes on the field with him and to the dudes watching.
“It felt good to be back out there with Justin, and just to know that he’s got my back and I’ve got his, and that’s the mentality, the mindset, the relationship that we’re gonna take into every week.”
Like any young quarterback, Fields wasn’t perfect.
He missed a couple of reads that could have gone for big plays, and did not lead the team into scoring range late in the fourth quarter after Pittsburgh took the lead for good.
But his performance on Sunday was easily the best from a Jets quarterback making his debut with the team in a very long time. It was the kind of showing that brings confidence to the team, despite coming off a loss.
There’s a long way to go in 2025, but maybe, just maybe, Fields showed that he can be the franchise quarterback New York has been begging for all along.